Thief caught on CCTV stealing bicycle in Navotas market

A bicycle purchased in Japan decades ago by a former overseas Filipino worker was stolen by a 35-year old man in the Agora market in Navotas on Wednesday. 

The owner of the stolen bicycle, Saturnino Bautista, reported this to authorities and showed the CCTV footage capturing the act that was done in broad daylight. 

The suspect was seen lingering around the bicycle for a few minutes, seemingly checking on the owner who was inside a hardware store at that time.

He then picked up the bicycle and quickly carried it away.  

“Bumili ako'ng materyales para sa bahay. Ngayon, iniwan ko iyong bike ko doon sa tabi…Magbabayad na ako eh. Paglingon ko, wala na iyong bike ko,” Bautista recounted. 

(I was buying materials for the house. Now, I left my bike nearby…When I was about to pay (when) I turned around and saw my bike was gone.) 

The bike, Bautista said, has “sentimental value” since he bought it nearly 30 years ago in Japan when he was still working as a seaman.

“Matagal na sa akin iyon. Parang anak ko na rin iyon dahil kapag may pinupuntahan ako, lagi kong gamit. At saka, kaunting sira noon, inaayos ko kaagad,” he said, noting the bicycle was even older than his eldest child. 

(I’ve had that for a long time. I treat it like my child because I take it with me anywhere I go. And when it gets broken, no matter how small (the damage), I have it fixed immediately.) 

The suspect was later arrested in Barangay NBBS Proper — a village near the market where the bicycle was stolen. 

The suspect admitted to stealing Bautista’s bicycle, which he then took to Tondo, Manila with the intention of selling it.

He clarified, however, that the transaction was not successful since they panicked and ran away upon seeing police officers patrolling in the area.

The supposed buyer, according to the suspect, was still able to give him P100. 

Bike not found

The suspect initially said he would take authorities to where he had left the stolen bicycle.

Bautista’s family even waited in the Navotas police station, but after a few hours, the suspect, accompanied by authorities, came back empty-handed. 

“Sinabi niya na doon niya binenta at hindi niya kilala iyong taong pinagbentahan niya,” Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran Task Force Disiplina member Ariel Maramag said. 

(He said he’d take us to where he sold it, and that he didn’t know who he was selling it to.) 

The suspect said he, too, didn’t know where the bicycle is now. 

Police investigation revealed the suspect was supposed to trade the bicycle for illegal drugs, often referred to as “palit-bato.” 

“Iyong bisikleta na ninakaw, dadalhin niya sa Vitas Street sa Maynila. Ibebenta niya raw ng P1,000 or P1,500 pero kapag walang pera, drugs daw ang kapalit,” said Navotas Police Substation 4 Deputy Commander PLt. Michael Salvador. 

(He brought the stolen bicycle to Vitas Street in Manila to sell it for around P1,000 to P1,500. But if the buyer didn’t have money, he can trade it with drugs.) 

Salvador said the suspect has previous cases, also related to theft and illegal drugs.

The suspect admitted to attempting to trade the bicycle in exchange of money and illegal drugs.

He also said he uses illegal drugs “frequently.”

Police said a complaint for theft will be lodged against the suspect. — BAP, GMA Integrated News